The 12 remaining pre-Gameweek 1 manager press conferences take place today – and we’ll be bringing you the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team news updates here.
This is a ‘live’ article, so it’ll be updated as and when manager quotes become available. Keep refreshing for the latest news!
For the headlines from the eight pressers held already, read our Thursday round-up here.
And for everything else you may need ahead of the big Premier League kick-off, there’s our epic FPL 2024/25 pre-season guide and the Gameweek 1 guide.
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KEY TEAM NEWS UPDATES FROM FRIDAY
FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
LIVERPOOL
Arne Slot confirmed in his Friday morning press conference that everyone was fit for the trip to Ipswich Town.
It was a fairly brief presser from the new Liverpool boss but there were a couple of pull-out quotes, including the squad’s current readiness.
“How far are we? I think I’ve said many times already that we are not changing everything. Actually, we don’t change that much because many things were really good.
“Then where are we? I think it would be perfect after 4-6 weeks of pre-season to be already close to perfection, which is very difficult to reach. Some of them have only been in for 10-12 days. But like I said, many things have stayed the same and the players have stayed the same, as well.
“We are ready for the game tomorrow.” – Arne Slot
Slot also gave us his opinion on Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“I think a position for a player is always related to the team. It’s also my aim to bring the best out of the player but the first aim is to bring the best out of the team. It helps if you also bring the best out of the player.
“Trent is known for playing the right full-back for all his life, I think. When he was a youngster he played in midfield. In the modern game you see a lot of full-backs going into the midfield, that is what he did last season once in a while. I saw him playing at the Euros in midfield.
“So I think he’s capable of playing both positions really good, and then it’s up to me where I think he could help the team the most.” – Arne Slot on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s best position
NEWCASTLE UNITED
The news that we were expecting came in Eddie Howe’s press conference.
Callum Wilson, who we knew was a major doubt for Gameweek 1 with a back injury, was ruled out of the clash with Southampton. He’ll miss the “first few games of the season”.
Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Sven Botman (knee) and Lewis Miley (back) are out longer term, the first two potentially until the end of 2024.
Matt Targett (Achilles) is closer to a return following his extended lay-off: the defender has started training with the Magpies.
Meanwhile, Sandro Tonali‘s 10-month ban is nearing an end but he won’t be available until Gameweek 3.
“I think we’re definitely in a better position than we were for the majority of last season and certainly towards the back-end of last season.
“We’ve got Nick Pope back fully fit – touch wood with all of these because we’ve still got training before we play! Joe Willock is in a lot better place, I wouldn’t say he’s 100% match fit – he’s had two games and trained well – but he’s certainly on the road to being the Joe Willock that we all know and love. Several other players who I think are in a lot better physical condition than last year.
“But we still have the legacy of the injuries from last year, the long-term ones of Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman. We lost Callum Wilson during the early stages of pre-season, he’s a huge miss. Lewis Miley. Matt Targett is making his early steps back, he’s trained this week, which has been brilliant.” – Eddie Howe
We’ve not yet had any news on Fabian Schar (ankle), following his withdrawal in Friday’s win over Girona, but there weren’t any major concerns over the Swiss defender.
Further quotes to follow
BOURNEMOUTH
Andoni Iraola said he was hopeful that the deal to sign Evanilson would be concluded in time for the striker to travel to Nottingham Forest.
“I really don’t know.
“I think we still have three hours before we have to make the registration. I think it’s not finished now but we will see.” – Andoni Iraola on whether Evanilson will be registered in time to face Nottingham Forest
Iraola also commented on £4.5m FPL forward Daniel Jebbison – who may yet go out on loan.
“He’s been very good in pre-season, he’s been fighting. A little bit what we I told you this last week. We have delayed every decision because right now we have Enes out. He’s also a very important player for us. We will make decisions further, we don’t have a lot of days! There is a part where you have to think of him, there’s a part where you have to think about the team. We will try to arrive at the best solution with him but I am really happy with his attitude, with his performances in pre-season.” – Andoni Iraola on Daniel Jebbison
In terms of team news, there are no fresh injuries for the Cherries.
Iraola confirmed that only three players are definitely sidelined this weekend.
Those three are David Brooks (shoulder), Enes Unal (toe) and Tyler Adams (back), who are all recovering from medium-to-long-term injuries.
Illness could yet rule one or two others out, however.
“The three players with surgeries that we have, you know that they are going to be out: Brooksy, Enes and Tyler. We don’t have more big injuries, we have had one or two players with some illness during the week. I don’t know if they will arrive or not. But we don’t have any other injuries, no.” – Andoni Iraola
Murara Neto (back) missed the final pre-season friendly against Girona as a precaution, while Marcos Senesi (head) came off early – but Iraola reassured worries on that front by saying it wasn’t a concussion. It is assumed that, based on the above quote, both players are fine for Gameweek 1 – unless they’re ill!
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